Abolition "A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing,
but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.”
Causes
Slavery separated families and children
Slavery was now seen as incompatible with Christ's teachings
This is because of the Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening started in the late eighteenth century and lasted until the middle of the nineteenth century
The Second Great Awakening was used to abolitionists advantage by putting guilt on slave owners
Rise in use of abolitionist propaganda to endorse the idea of "anti- slavery"
A new society called the American Anti- Slavery Society emerged
They persuaded young readers of "The Slave Friend" to collect money for the anti-slavery movement.
Founded by Theodore Weld, Arthur Tappan, and Lewis Tappan
Their goal was to convince both white southerners and northerners of slavery's inhumanity
agreed that slavery goes against the church's teachings
Tactics of Slavery Abolitionists
Abolitionist Groups and individuals had many tactics or strategies in their efforts to end slavery in the south. Of course with the different ideals of the groups came vastly different methods of attack agsinst the institution. Most of non-violence, some of violence which caused for many different ranges of success and failure, trial and error that streched this long movement well over 50 years.
Violence
-Slave rebellions and uprisings
-Nat Turner and fellow slaves participated in an uprising that killed over 55 slaveowners in the south
-Though, slave rebellions were rare, many southerners lived with the fear of knowing that a slave rebellion is possible at any moment ever since the first rebellion in 1792
Legal, Spread of Ideas Through Media
-Books, Articles, Newspapers
-Hariet Beecher Stowe;Uncle Tom's Cabin highlited and showed the negatives in the relation between the slave and master
-The beatings, sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment from the masters shows contrast to the Southern perspective and stirs up anger in the North -At this time period the use of Abolitionist propaganda was becoming more popular Escape
-Slaves in the south fled and entered a system of passages homes. and safe havens supported by abolitionists both black and white to reach freedom in the North
-One of the most famous ways that slaves escaped was through the underground railroad, which helped slaves escape slavery to freedom in the North
Relocation
-Some of the less enthusiastic about racial congregation in America but those whom did not support slavery either pushed to relocate freed blacks and slaves out of America and back to their father countries.
*Here are a few specific examples of groups and individuals of the abolitionist movement and their sucesses and failures
Individual/Group
Strategy/Tactic
Successes
Failures
American Colonization Society (ACS)
- To challenge slavery in the state of Virginia without interfering with state property rights.
-Freeing slaves with compensation to slaveholders and relocating blacks to the west coast of Africa or to the islands of Barbados, through private donation by wealthy investors or through state funds.
- Removed and relocated thousands of slaves to the West Coast of Africa
- Establish the nation of Liberia in Africa which still exists with over 3,441,790 people to date
- The society succeeded in earning the appeals of some state legislatures.
- During the boost of slavery in the south during this time period it was impossible task to raise enough money to free all the slaves and relocate them in Virginia, let alone all of America
- Henry Clay led the persuasion of the United States Congress to fund and send colonists to Liberia, but failed. - Abraham Lincoln also had tried to arrange resettlements that the society has supported, but each one of them failed.
William Lloyd Garrison
- To advocate the abolishment of slavery as an institution through media by his newspaper TheLiberator. - Highlight the Black perspective in contrast to the White slaveholder's
-Also spread his ideas through public speeches
- Influenced many white Americans
- Led to him being a co-founder of the American Anti Slavery Society
- Created the Liberator, which is how he was able to spread his ideas. - He wrote many other articles since he was part of other newspapers and they have gained equal success. He joined in with Benjamin Lundy and committed himself to working hard to abolish slavery.
- Publicly burning a section of the constitution which he believed should not exists as long as slavery was instituted. Good for Aboliotionist Opinion but bad for himself as an American almost made him look to be a Terrorist. - The paper of the quote, "Our Country, our Whole Country, and nothing but our Country", failed to lift the spirit in Newburyport.
Harriet Tubman
- Using a system of underground passages, homes and civilians both white and black to help escaping slaves reach freedom in the North
- Was able to rescue thousands of slaves from captivity in different sates that adopted this technique and system - She had created very clever techniques that made her successful in helping slaves reach freedom.
- Escaping slavery came at a high risk with many grave consequences - Many slaves that were caught were beaten and sent back into slavery and killed by hanging or beat to death.
- Not everyone that used this system to escape were successful, many were caught and either sent back into slavery, or they were beaten and killed for trying to escape
1820: The U.S. Congress defines the slave trade as piracy. 1820: The Missouri Compromise prohibits slavery in the northern half of the Louisiana Purchase. 1827: There are an estimated 106 antislavery societies in the South with 5,150 members, and 24 organizations in the North with 1,475 members January 1, 1831: Garrison begins publishing The Liberator, the country's first publication to demand an immediate end to slavery. On the front page of the first issue he declares: "I will not equivocate--I will not excuse--I will not retreat a single inch--AND I WILL BE HEARD." Georgia offers $5000 to anyone who would bring him to the state for trial. 1835: A mob drags Garrison through Boston's streets and nearly lynches him before authorities remove him to a city jail for his own safety. 1836: The number of antislavery societies reaches 527. 1838: There are 1,300 antislavery societies with 109,000 members. 1838-39: Antislavery societies gather 2 million names on antislavery petitions. 1848: Conscience Whigs and antislavery Democrats merge with the Liberty Party to form the Free-Soil Party, which demands the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and exclusion of slavery from the federal territories. Presidential nominee Martin Van Buren receives 300,000 votes (about 10 percent of all votes cast). 1850: The Fugitive Slave Law, part of the Compromise of 1850, strips accused runaways of the rights of trial by jury and of testifying in their own defense. 1851: A leading antislavery weekly begins to publish Uncle Tom's
Primary Sources
The Liberator was the abolitionist newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison, filled with his almost revolutionary beliefs on abolishing slavery. As stated earlier, his stance on slavery was very tough compared to other abolitionists of the time, and his beliefs can of course be found in his own newspaper. This site contains hundreds of important articles from his paper, so his stance on many different American institutions and parts of society can be found along with many articles on abolition. http://www.theliberatorfiles.com/
This source from the time period shows the determination that abolitionist groups had for their cause. This was the declaration made at the founding of group known as “The American Anti-Slavery Society,” which was well known to be one of the most prominent groups of the time.National Anti-Slavery Convention
Key Events
Invention of the Cotton Gin, 1793- In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. The cotton gin automatically separated the seeds in short fiber cotton. This allowed cotton to be produced much more efficiently since the machine could do in one hour what it took a human to do in one day! While this invention may seem like it would be beneficial to the anti-slavery cause it was in fact the complete opposite. The new gin called for even greater expansion therefore more slaves were needed to expand farms, till land and even work the gins! The cotton gin rejuvenated the institution of slavery and in turn the South’s economy. The issue of slavery was also greatly impacted by the invention of the cotton gin. Prior to this invention, slavery had become less favorable with Americans. Because of the huge numbers of new immigrants to the United States, labor had become cheap enough that many farmers found it necessary to pay. Suddenly, as the gin made dramatically improved ways to produce cotton, the need for labor was made more imperative to the livelihood of those who grew the crop. Outlaw of importing new slave, 1808- In 1808 the government called for the Slave Trade Act. The act basically said that it is illegal to import slaves into the country any longer. This may not seem like much but it was a small step in abolishing slavery as a whole. When the vote was taken the Abolition of the Slave Trade bill was passed in the House of Lords by 41 votes to 20, and it become law on 25th March, 1807. British captains who were caught continuing the trade were fined £100 for every slave found on board. However, this law did not stop the British slave trade.However people argued that the only way to end the suffering of the slaves was to make slavery illegal.
American Colonization Society, 1816- The American Colonization Society was formed in 1816 by Robert Finley. Some abolitionist and southerners wanted freed blacks out of America. Abolitionists argued that the prejudice blacks faced could not be overcome and they would never be able to assimilate so they were better off in Africa and southerners often feared freed blacks in case they ever wanted revenge. For these reasons the ACS started a relocation program sending freed blacks on ships to West Africa. Overall this was a failed attempt because of hostility the whites and blacks received in Africa also many blacks felt that America was their homeland and did not want to leave. This event shows how African Americans are gaining national attention.
Freedom's Journal, 1827- “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” This is a quote from Freedom’s journal, the first all black newspaper! This paper came out every week in New York City for two years (1827-1829). John B. Russwurm singlehandedly edited the paper which often had national and international news, articles denouncing slavery and births, deaths and marriages between African Americans. Freedom’sjournal was widely banned down south because it often had articles that called for rebellion against white oppressors! This event shows the gaining power, influence and organization of African Americans.
Nat Turner's Rebellion, 1831- This rebellion is one of the most famous rebellions during the antebellum period. It took place in Virgina a very heavy slave state. Nat and his cohorts (five of them) started the rebellion by killing his master and his family. As they traveled throughout the country side their numbers grew to about 60 people!! They murdered about 50 white men as they traveled. Turner and his members were hunted down and destoyed, and Turner was later hung but not after though not before he described divine inspiration as his motive for rebellion. Turner’s rebellion demonstrated to the North the level of anger held by the enslaved, as well as the lengths freedom seekers were prepared to go for liberty. Southerners, meanwhile, saw their own vulnerability in the most shocking way possible. Southerners, then, asserted more control over the enslaved by further restricting African American gatherings and travel. This also showed that any hope for slavery to end through civil disobidence or and other non-violent way was not going to happen. If slavery was going to end it was going to be by force.
Gag Rule, 1836- A gag rule is usually put into effect when the House of Representatives receives an overwhelming number of petitions about a certain topic. The rule allows the house to ignore them. This was happening to the House about the abolition of slavery therefore between 1836 and 1844 they installed the gag rule. In May of 1836 the house made an official statement saying “All petitions, memorials, resolutions, propositions, or papers, relating in any way, or to any extent whatsoever, to the subject of slavery or the abolition of slavery, shall, without being either printed or referred, be laid on the table and… no further action whatever shall be had thereon.” People in the north hated this arguing that it violated their civil rights, John Quincy Adams led the fight for the distraught and angry north. Finally on December 3, 1844 they succeeded and the gag was repealed.
Liberty Party 1840- Liberty Party was founded in 1840 promoting the abolition of slavery. This party was led by James G. Birney and Gerit Smith. This party had an effect on the 1844 election and some argue that it won James K. Polk the election. This party was really just a precursor to the Free Soil Party.
Free Soil Party, 1848- The free soil party mainly advocated anti-slavery for the new and developing states out west. They said “we inscribe on our banner ‘Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor and Free Men’”. Most members of this party viewed slavery as “an economically inefficient, obsolete institution.” They believed that a country with free workers was more productive than one with slaves.
Raid on Harper's Ferry, 1859- The attack on the federal arsenal on Harper’s ferry is an example of abolitionist resorting to violent resistance to get what they want. John Browne and a few of his recruits raided the arsenal (cache of weapons) because they figured it would help free a few slaves, they also planned to use the weapons against slave owners. This Raid ended in Browne and his men getting killed but this event sent a strong message to southerners and slave owners showing that these white northerners were willing to physically fight for their cause!
Emancipation Proclamation, 1863-The emancipation Proclamation was created by Lincoln. It said that any seceding states that did not return to the union before Jan 1 st in 1863 would lose the right to all their slaves and they would essentially become free people. Lincoln had no way of enforcing this proclamation until the civil war started, nevertheless it was an important event because it showed now that the government recognized the injustice of slavery!
The 13th Amendment, 1865-The 13th amendment stated “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States .” This was the official and final thing that totally abolished slavery, it was then final.
- “The soul that is within me no man can degrade.”- Fredrick Douglass, 1854
Goals of the Abolitionist Movement
Different abolitionists and their groups had different end goals for the movement. The major goal was obviously to abolish slavery, but many Northerners who were against the institution of slavery still discriminated against African-Americans while wanting slavery to end. It was said that some free blacks in the North were treated as badly, and sometimes even worse than slaves in the South where they were respected more for their working potential. The majority of abolitionists though, wanted equality for all people regardless of race and skin color.
However, ending slavery as a whole was a long way off at this time whether the abolitionists liked or not, so they had to set smaller goals along the way. Some abolitionists wanted to legally end slavery in the South, such as politicians and the more moderate abolitionists. This included the American Colonization Society, who had a slightly different goal of purchasing all the slaves and shipping them back their native home of Africa, which resulted in the formation of the nation of Libya, which is currently a country in Africa with over 2 million people! Other more extreme abolitionists of the time set goals such as inciting major slave revolts, or just helping as many slaves to escape as possible. Harriet Tubman was one abolitionist who met this goal with a lot of slaves. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist who was a conductor of the underground railroad. She saved as many as 350 slaves being a conductor. Another goal of abolitionists was to educate slaves, since it was their belief that if they educated them, white people would feel less like they were inferior and it would make them feel like they shouldn’t have these people as slaves.
Garrison is known for his abolitionist newspaper The Liberator. He is a well known abolitionist who fought against slavery for the rights of African Americans. He became the co-editor of Lundy's newspaper. One article that Garrison had wrote, criticized a merchant that was involved in a slave trade which lead to his imprisonment for false and malicious printing. He was famous for his quote, "I am in earnest - I will not equivocate - I will not excuse - I will not retreat a single inch - and I will be heard." He formed the New England Anti-Slavery Society in 1832.
Douglass is known for being a spokesperson for the abolition movement. His many speeches gained him wide support and fame during this period. He had left England because he was afraid of being caught after he published his autobiography until friends had bought his freedom. He came back and began his own newspaper called The North Star, which was later renamed as Frederick Douglass' Paper. Douglass. It talked for the rights of women and went against racial inequality. He helped recruit black soldiers from the Union Army and met Abraham Lincoln.
She is known for writing Uncle Tom's Cabin, an influential novel of the Antebellum Era. It publicly acknowledged the conditions of slavery and showed "anti-slavery" feelings. The evils of slavery as she sees in her eyes are described as maternal bonds being hurt, where mothers are dreadful for the sale of their children. She expresses her hatred for slavery in her books. She was a strong willed woman took dangerous risks like speaking publically since she’s a woman, especially about slavery but shows she has integrity, initiative, and perseverance. She challenged her society by being different and is know a well-known woman in history.
Concluding Summary It took many many years to abolish slavery in the United States. But like all great fights it had to start somewhere! The turn of the 19th century and the “antebellum period” saw many reforms from women’s rights to a new religious revival. One can argue that these reforms supported abolition and helped reveal it for the evil it was. Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison are just a few of the prominent figures who arose during this reverent fight to free the black man. In conclusion, the long and intricate fight to abolish slavery was a product of many people and they each contributed through heir own individual events. Whether it be shuttling slaves through the Underground Railroad or publishing The Liberator Each and every person who believed slavery was wrong and advocated for its abolishment was a vital piece to this liberal puzzle. The antebellum reform movement abolition was a major one. This movement’s main goal was to help black Americans and give them better rights and equality. Abolitionist created strategies to reach this goal. Examples would be the Underground Railroad, which freed 40,000 to 100,000 slaves, or the American Colonization Society, whose goal was to ship slaves back to their homeland. Also abolitionists were beginning to make their own newspaper to spread ideas and send a message out to the nation. But some abolitionist handled this problem the wrong way. They used violence and rebelled, an example would be Nat Turners rebellion. In 1831 Nat turner and his followers killed 60 white men, women, and children. This rebellion made the abolition movement take a big step back from reaching their goal of equal black Americans. But abolitionist still moved on and tried their best to end slavery.
Bibliography
eltis , david, paul finkleman, oldfield John, and paul lovejoy. "The abolition of the slave trade." abolition.org. 15 Nov 2009. Shomburg center for black cultural history, Web. 17 Nov 2009. <http://abolition.nypl.org/credits/>.
PBS. "William Lloyd Garrison." Africans in America. Corporation for Public
Abolition "A little learning, indeed, may be a dangerous thing,
but the want of learning is a calamity to any people.”
Causes
Tactics of Slavery Abolitionists
Abolitionist Groups and individuals had many tactics or strategies in their efforts to end slavery in the south. Of course with the different ideals of the groups came vastly different methods of attack agsinst the institution. Most of non-violence, some of violence which caused for many different ranges of success and failure, trial and error that streched this long movement well over 50 years.
Violence
-Slave rebellions and uprisings
-Nat Turner and fellow slaves participated in an uprising that killed over 55 slaveowners in the south
-Though, slave rebellions were rare, many southerners lived with the fear of knowing that a slave rebellion is possible at any moment ever since the first rebellion in 1792
Legal, Spread of Ideas Through Media
-Books, Articles, Newspapers
-Hariet Beecher Stowe;Uncle Tom's Cabin highlited and showed the negatives in the relation between the slave and master
-The beatings, sexual abuse, harassment and mistreatment from the masters shows contrast to the Southern perspective and stirs up anger in the North
-At this time period the use of Abolitionist propaganda was becoming more popular
Escape
-Slaves in the south fled and entered a system of passages homes. and safe havens supported by abolitionists both black and white to reach freedom in the North
-One of the most famous ways that slaves escaped was through the underground railroad, which helped slaves escape slavery to freedom in the North
Relocation
-Some of the less enthusiastic about racial congregation in America but those whom did not support slavery either pushed to relocate freed blacks and slaves out of America and back to their father countries.
*Here are a few specific examples of groups and individuals of the abolitionist movement and their sucesses and failures
-Freeing slaves with compensation to slaveholders and relocating blacks to the west coast of Africa or to the islands of Barbados, through private donation by wealthy investors or through state funds.
- Establish the nation of Liberia in Africa which still exists with over 3,441,790 people to date
- The society succeeded in earning the appeals of some state legislatures.
- Henry Clay led the persuasion of the United States Congress to fund and send colonists to Liberia, but failed.
- Abraham Lincoln also had tried to arrange resettlements that the society has supported, but each one of them failed.
- Highlight the Black perspective in contrast to the White slaveholder's
-Also spread his ideas through public speeches
- Led to him being a co-founder of the American Anti Slavery Society
- Created the Liberator, which is how he was able to spread his ideas.
- He wrote many other articles since he was part of other newspapers and they have gained equal success. He joined in with Benjamin Lundy and committed himself to working hard to abolish slavery.
- The paper of the quote, "Our Country, our Whole Country, and nothing but our Country", failed to lift the spirit in Newburyport.
- She had created very clever techniques that made her successful in helping slaves reach freedom.
- Many slaves that were caught were beaten and sent back into slavery and killed by hanging or beat to death.
- Not everyone that used this system to escape were successful, many were caught and either sent back into slavery, or they were beaten and killed for trying to escape
Here is a short video on the tactics and strategies of abolition crusaders and their outcomes.[[http://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/AP US History I/course files/multimedia/lesson31/lessonp.html?showTopic=4|Click Here]]
Timeline of the Abolition Movement
1820: The U.S. Congress defines the slave trade as piracy.
1820: The Missouri Compromise prohibits slavery in the northern half of the Louisiana Purchase.
1827: There are an estimated 106 antislavery societies in the South with 5,150 members, and 24 organizations in the North with 1,475 members
January 1, 1831: Garrison begins publishing The Liberator, the country's first publication to demand an immediate end to slavery. On the front page of the first issue he declares: "I will not equivocate--I will not excuse--I will not retreat a single inch--AND I WILL BE HEARD." Georgia offers $5000 to anyone who would bring him to the state for trial.
1835: A mob drags Garrison through Boston's streets and nearly lynches him before authorities remove him to a city jail for his own safety.
1836: The number of antislavery societies reaches 527.
1838: There are 1,300 antislavery societies with 109,000 members. 1838-39: Antislavery societies gather 2 million names on antislavery petitions.
1848: Conscience Whigs and antislavery Democrats merge with the Liberty Party to form the Free-Soil Party, which demands the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia and exclusion of slavery from the federal territories. Presidential nominee Martin Van Buren receives 300,000 votes (about 10 percent of all votes cast).
1850: The Fugitive Slave Law, part of the Compromise of 1850, strips accused runaways of the rights of trial by jury and of testifying in their own defense.
1851: A leading antislavery weekly begins to publish Uncle Tom's
Primary Sources
The Liberator was the abolitionist newspaper published by William Lloyd Garrison, filled with his almost revolutionary beliefs on abolishing slavery. As stated earlier, his stance on slavery was very tough compared to other abolitionists of the time, and his beliefs can of course be found in his own newspaper. This site contains hundreds of important articles from his paper, so his stance on many different American institutions and parts of society can be found along with many articles on abolition. http://www.theliberatorfiles.com/
This source from the time period shows the determination that abolitionist groups had for their cause. This was the declaration made at the founding of group known as “The American Anti-Slavery Society,” which was well known to be one of the most prominent groups of the time.National Anti-Slavery Convention
Key Events
Invention of the Cotton Gin, 1793-
In 1793 Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin. The cotton gin automatically separated the seeds in short fiber cotton. This allowed cotton to be produced much more efficiently since the machine could do in one hour what it took a human to do in one day! While this invention may seem like it would be beneficial to the anti-slavery cause it was in fact the complete opposite. The new gin called for even greater expansion therefore more slaves were needed to expand farms, till land and even work the gins! The cotton gin rejuvenated the institution of slavery and in turn the South’s economy.
The issue of slavery was also greatly impacted by the invention of the cotton gin. Prior to this invention, slavery had become less favorable with Americans. Because of the huge numbers of new immigrants to the United States, labor had become cheap enough that many farmers found it necessary to pay. Suddenly, as the gin made dramatically improved ways to produce cotton, the need for labor was made more imperative to the livelihood of those who grew the crop.
Outlaw of importing new slave, 1808-
In 1808 the government called for the Slave Trade Act. The act basically said that it is illegal to import slaves into the country any longer. This may not seem like much but it was a small step in abolishing slavery as a whole. When the vote was taken the Abolition of the Slave Trade bill was passed in the House of Lords by 41 votes to 20, and it become law on 25th March, 1807. British captains who were caught continuing the trade were fined £100 for every slave found on board. However, this law did not stop the British slave trade.However people argued that the only way to end the suffering of the slaves was to make slavery illegal.
American Colonization Society, 1816-
The American Colonization Society was formed in 1816 by Robert Finley. Some abolitionist and southerners wanted freed blacks out of America. Abolitionists argued that the prejudice blacks faced could not be overcome and they would never be able to assimilate so they were better off in Africa and southerners often feared freed blacks in case they ever wanted revenge. For these reasons the ACS started a relocation program sending freed blacks on ships to West Africa. Overall this was a failed attempt because of hostility the whites and blacks received in Africa also many blacks felt that America was their homeland and did not want to leave. This event shows how African Americans are gaining national attention.
Freedom's Journal, 1827-
“We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.” This is a quote from Freedom’s journal, the first all black newspaper! This paper came out every week in New York City for two years (1827-1829). John B. Russwurm singlehandedly edited the paper which often had national and international news, articles denouncing slavery and births, deaths and marriages between African Americans. Freedom’s journal was widely banned down south because it often had articles that called for rebellion against white oppressors! This event shows the gaining power, influence and organization of African Americans.
Nat Turner's Rebellion, 1831-
This rebellion is one of the most famous rebellions during the antebellum period. It took place in Virgina a very heavy slave state. Nat and his cohorts (five of them) started the rebellion by killing his master and his family. As they traveled throughout the country side their numbers grew to about 60 people!! They murdered about 50 white men as they traveled. Turner and his members were hunted down and destoyed, and Turner was later hung but not after though not before he described divine inspiration as his motive for rebellion. Turner’s rebellion demonstrated to the North the level of anger held by the enslaved, as well as the lengths freedom seekers were prepared to go for liberty. Southerners, meanwhile, saw their own vulnerability in the most shocking way possible. Southerners, then, asserted more control over the enslaved by further restricting African American gatherings and travel. This also showed that any hope for slavery to end through civil disobidence or and other non-violent way was not going to happen. If slavery was going to end it was going to be by force.
Gag Rule, 1836-
A gag rule is usually put into effect when the House of Representatives receives an overwhelming number of petitions about a certain topic. The rule allows the house to ignore them. This was happening to the House about the abolition of slavery therefore between 1836 and 1844 they installed the gag rule. In May of 1836 the house made an official statement saying “All petitions, memorials, resolutions, propositions, or papers, relating in any way, or to any extent whatsoever, to the subject of slavery or the abolition of slavery, shall, without being either printed or referred, be laid on the table and… no further action whatever shall be had thereon.” People in the north hated this arguing that it violated their civil rights, John Quincy Adams led the fight for the distraught and angry north. Finally on December 3, 1844 they succeeded and the gag was repealed.
Liberty Party 1840-
Liberty Party was founded in 1840 promoting the abolition of slavery. This party was led by James G. Birney and Gerit Smith. This party had an effect on the 1844 election and some argue that it won James K. Polk the election. This party was really just a precursor to the Free Soil Party.
Free Soil Party, 1848-
The free soil party mainly advocated anti-slavery for the new and developing states out west. They said “we inscribe on our banner ‘Free Soil, Free Speech, Free Labor and Free Men’”. Most members of this party viewed slavery as “an economically inefficient, obsolete institution.” They believed that a country with free workers was more productive than one with slaves.
Raid on Harper's Ferry, 1859-
The attack on the federal arsenal on Harper’s ferry is an example of abolitionist resorting to violent resistance to get what they want. John Browne and a few of his recruits raided the arsenal (cache of weapons) because they figured it would help free a few slaves, they also planned to use the weapons against slave owners. This Raid ended in Browne and his men getting killed but this event sent a strong message to southerners and slave owners showing that these white northerners were willing to physically fight for their cause!
Emancipation Proclamation, 1863- The emancipation Proclamation was created by Lincoln. It said that any seceding states that did not return to the union before Jan 1 st in 1863 would lose the right to all their slaves and they would essentially become free people. Lincoln had no way of enforcing this proclamation until the civil war started, nevertheless it was an important event because it showed now that the government recognized the injustice of slavery!
The 13th Amendment, 1865- The 13th amendment stated “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States .” This was the official and final thing that totally abolished slavery, it was then final.
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“The soul that is within me no man can degrade.”- Fredrick Douglass, 1854
Goals of the Abolitionist Movement
Different abolitionists and their groups had different end goals for the movement. The major goal was obviously to abolish slavery, but many Northerners who were against the institution of slavery still discriminated against African-Americans while wanting slavery to end. It was said that some free blacks in the North were treated as badly, and sometimes even worse than slaves in the South where they were respected more for their working potential. The majority of abolitionists though, wanted equality for all people regardless of race and skin color.
However, ending slavery as a whole was a long way off at this time whether the abolitionists liked or not, so they had to set smaller goals along the way. Some abolitionists wanted to legally end slavery in the South, such as politicians and the more moderate abolitionists. This included the American Colonization Society, who had a slightly different goal of purchasing all the slaves and shipping them back their native home of Africa, which resulted in the formation of the nation of Libya, which is currently a country in Africa with over 2 million people! Other more extreme abolitionists of the time set goals such as inciting major slave revolts, or just helping as many slaves to escape as possible. Harriet Tubman was one abolitionist who met this goal with a lot of slaves. Harriet Tubman was an abolitionist who was a conductor of the underground railroad. She saved as many as 350 slaves being a conductor. Another goal of abolitionists was to educate slaves, since it was their belief that if they educated them, white people would feel less like they were inferior and it would make them feel like they shouldn’t have these people as slaves.
Key People
It took many many years to abolish slavery in the United States. But like all great fights it had to start somewhere! The turn of the 19th century and the “antebellum period” saw many reforms from women’s rights to a new religious revival. One can argue that these reforms supported abolition and helped reveal it for the evil it was. Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglass, and William Lloyd Garrison are just a few of the prominent figures who arose during this reverent fight to free the black man. In conclusion, the long and intricate fight to abolish slavery was a product of many people and they each contributed through heir own individual events. Whether it be shuttling slaves through the Underground Railroad or publishing The Liberator Each and every person who believed slavery was wrong and advocated for its abolishment was a vital piece to this liberal puzzle. The antebellum reform movement abolition was a major one. This movement’s main goal was to help black Americans and give them better rights and equality. Abolitionist created strategies to reach this goal. Examples would be the Underground Railroad, which freed 40,000 to 100,000 slaves, or the American Colonization Society, whose goal was to ship slaves back to their homeland. Also abolitionists were beginning to make their own newspaper to spread ideas and send a message out to the nation. But some abolitionist handled this problem the wrong way. They used violence and rebelled, an example would be Nat Turners rebellion. In 1831 Nat turner and his followers killed 60 white men, women, and children. This rebellion made the abolition movement take a big step back from reaching their goal of equal black Americans. But abolitionist still moved on and tried their best to end slavery.
Bibliography
- PBS. "William Lloyd Garrison." Africans in America. Corporation for Public
Broadcasting, 1998. Web. 17 Nov. 2009. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p1561.html>.
- PBS. "Frederick Douglass." Africans in America. Corporation for Public
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